China-Taiwan Relations

Trump breaks the norm – will talk to Taiwan's leader

US President Donald Trump says he will talk to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-Te, several media outlets report. If the conversation takes place, it will be the first time since 1979 that an American president has been in direct contact with the leader of Taiwan, writes The Guardian.

- I will talk to him. I will talk to everyone, Trump tells reporters. We will deal with the Taiwan issue, Trump says.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry says it is looking forward to the conversation.

Taiwan, which is de facto self-governing, is largely dependent on American support to protect itself against a possible Chinese attack. However, during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week, Trump hinted that support could decrease, which has raised concerns in Taiwan.

China: Trump sends wrong signals to separatists

Donald Trump's announcement that he intends to talk to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-Te is not going down well in Beijing. At a press conference, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry says that China firmly opposes all formal contacts between the United States and Taiwan.

- The United States should stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan's separatists, says the spokesperson.

He also urges Trump to "act on the common understanding" reached during the US president's meeting with China's Xi Jinping last week.

Since 1979, when the US established diplomatic relations with Beijing instead of Taiwan, no sitting US president has spoken directly with Taiwan's leader.